Musings & Rants by Tim Byrd

Ummm…Isn’t This Supposed To Mean You’re Doing Something Wrong?

The actor who plays Jesus in Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of Christ has escaped injury after being struck by lightning during filming.

The incident, in which The Rock and The Count of Monte Cristo star Jim Caviezel did not sustain an injury, is the second bolt to hit the set of the movie in Italy.

The film has drawn complaints from religious leaders. Jewish leaders say it suggests Jews were responsible for Christ’s death. Conservative Catholics who have seen the film have called it a powerful rendering of the hours leading up to Christ’s Crucifixion.

The crew was on a remote location a few hours from Rome when the storm occurred.

“I’m about a hundred feet away from them,” producer Steve McEveety said, “when I glance over and see lightning coming out of Caviezel’s ears.”

Both Caviezel and his assistant director Michelini were struck. The main bolt hit Caviezel and one of its forks hit Michelini’s umbrella.

Neither of the men sustained injuries in the incident.

Michelini has been nicknamed Lightning Boy after being struck twice by lightning during the filming in Italy. He had already suffered light burns on the tips of his fingers in an earlier incident during filming on a hilltop in the town of Matera.

TIM BYRD

The author of the Doc Wilde adventure series, Tim is often barefoot, prone to irony, and interested in everything. He has been a soldier, game designer, independent filmmaker, and outdoor guide. He knows how to tie a tie, but doesn't care to.